Former Cahokia HR manager claims city breached contract

Former Cahokia human resources manager Michele Halter is suing the village claiming she was terminated about a year before her employment contract expired.

Halter claims she was hired through former Mayor Frank Bergman in April 2009 with a $60,000 annual salary plus medical benefits. Her contact was to continue through April 2012, according to the suit filed July 15 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

"That on May 10, 2011, the Defendant by and through Mayor Gary Cornwell terminated the Plaintiff...," the complaint states.

Halter claims she has not been paid any wages since May 10 or the vacation, sick leave, personal dates, medical insurance, that she claims was to be provided by the village.

In addition to wages and compensation, Halter claims she has had to incur out of pocket medical expenses for herself and family. She also claims mental suffering and anguish.

She is seeking at least $150,000 in damages, plus asks that wages be paid within 15 days of being so ordered, otherwise defendant be subject to a 1 percent penalty per day up to twice the amount of the wages ordered to be paid.